A collection of Stieff teddy bears and soft toys worth an estimated £1.2 million have been discovered at a collector's home in America and will be sent to auction. The find has amazed experts who cannot believe that such a rare collection existed, some 1,300 items all in beautiful condition.

The teddies will all be auctioned next month by Christies. The famous auction house has said that it is the best collection they have ever seen as some are over a century old and yet are in a good state.

One bear, a one off 'Harlequin Bear', is expected to fetch up to £110,000 in the sale and islikely to break the world record for the most money ever spent to purchase a bear. It is made of mohair and was crafted as an experiment by one of the employees at the company back in 1944. It's arms and legs move, and he used to have a growl when turned upside down but this has faded with time!

The collection includes all sorts of other stuffed toys including cats, dogs, lions and even frogs! All of them have been made by Stieff, the famous German toy maker, renowned the world over for the creation of beautiful stuffed bears and toys, each one hand-stitched and hand-stuffed.

Other unusual items in the collection include a 1910 hot water bottle bear said to be worth £30,000 and a Mickey Mouse figure estimated between £5,000 and £10,000.

So, for some early Christmas bargains, pop along to Christies on 13 October with a big and full purse!

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